Kayak Love

Iowa · river

Shell Rock River at Shell Rock

Live conditions for this USGS-monitored stretch of water, updated every 15 minutes.

87of 100

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Paddle Score, from live wind and water conditions

Photograph taken near Shell Rock River at Shell Rock
Nearby on Wikimedia Commons — Cherry Street Bridge over tributary of Shell Rock River.jpg by fafinney@aol.com, CC BY-SA 4.0. Taken within 10km of this location — it may not show the launch itself.

Wind

11 mph

gusting to 21 mph

Air temp

68°F

15% chance of rain

River flow

668 cfs

normal for this date

Best day to paddle this week

Wednesday · 88

  • Today

    82

  • Wed

    88

    Best

  • Thu

    81

  • Fri

    43

  • Sat

    68

  • Sun

    62

  • Mon

    67

Scored from each day's peak forecast wind, heat, and rain chance — river flow isn't forecastable, so check back before you load the boat.

Wind, next 12 hours

mph
Hourly wind forecast
HourWind (mph)Gusts (mph)
1a1119
2a1222
3a1121
4a1018
5a1119
6a916
7a613
8a68
9a66
10a917
11a1018
12p1218

Is this flow normal for September 8?

Today's 668 cfs is 48% above the median for this date — which counts as normal water here.

The median flow on this date is 451 cfs, across 71 years of USGS record at this gauge. Whether that is runnable depends on the stretch — this is context, not a recommendation.

Why this score

  • Wind11 mph — noticeable but manageable-13
  • GustsGusting to 21 mph — 10 mph over sustained±0

We don't have launch notes for this one

This page is built from the USGS gauge at this location, so the flow and weather are real — but we haven't verified where to put in, what the hazards are, or whether this stretch is legal or sensible to paddle. We'd rather say that than invent it. The links below are where to find out.

We also don't have a verified safe-flow range here, so the Paddle Score reflects weather only. Judge the flow number against local knowledge, not against our score.

Do your own homework

We show you live conditions. For local knowledge — where to put in, what the hazards are, whether it's worth the drive — here's where paddlers actually talk about this water. We don't vet these sources; check the dates and judge for yourself.

Nearby water

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